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Hubby hates traffic and crowds, so I want to stay away from Destin. Staying at Surf Dweller next week. Can't seem to find anything for teen/tweens to do in FWB other than beach and pool and miniature golf (no to museum). Is the snorkeling worth it? Even restaurant suggestions for FWB seem to lead back to Destin. Any suggestions?

You can rent a boat in FWB right behind the Elks Club. The Boardwalk has an arcade in it and a gelato shop. There are also volleyball courts set up there, as well as other locations along the beach. Fudpuckers (across from Boardwalk) also has an arcade. Fudpuckers Water Sports rents out paddleboards, kayaks, etc. You can fish from the pier. Downtown FWB has little shops as well as a cupcake shop. There is a tour company called Cattywampus that has some neat looking trips but I've never used them.

We try to avoid Destin also. For restaurants we rarely venture out of Fort Walton Beach as we think the restaurants in Destin are overpriced for what you get. Our number one restaurant in FWB is Mulhollow's Bistro 215. We also like Old Bay Steamer, High Tide Lounge, Magnolia Grill and Ali's Bistro. Also for coffee is

Maas Coffee Roaster. Love the old fashioned small downtown feel of FWB. If you do venture out we always make trips to Baytowne Wharf and eat at Graffitti's on their decks; take a short drive to Seaside/Watercolor, Rosemary Beach/Alys Beach where there are great restaurants along the way like George's in Alys Beach and Stinky's Fish Camp in Santa Rosa Beach.

Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach has a plethora of dining options: Five Guys, Clemenza's, Wild Wings, Zaxby's, several Asian options. I like Tommy Mattonie's on Eglin Pkwy for lunch, Stewby's is a local seafood option that's good (a bit off the beach). On the mainland, the dining isn't as expensive as Destin. There's a Fusion Bistro at the corner of Eglin/Hollywood close to the island that's fun and decently priced.

The Boardwalk has several dining options: Floyd's, Angler's, The Black Pearl, Crab Trap. A bit more expensive than in Fort Walton.

You don't say if you have boys or girls, but my tween girl loves the consignment shops & flea markets in downtown Fort Walton Beach. The Closet Swap on 98 is my favorite, and the flea/antique shops on Eglin are fun.

My teen boy likes the jetski rentals, and likes to net crabs on the sound side. If you snorkel in the pass, please be careful and aware of the tides.

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